About this Unit
USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37) was a Samuel Gompers-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1967. Named after labor leader Samuel Gompers, the ship provided repair, maintenance, and logistical support to destroyers and other ships in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Throughout her service, she played a vital role during the Vietnam War and later operations in the Western Pacific, servicing U.S. and allied naval vessels. After more than 28 years of distinguished service, USS SAMUEL GOMPERS was decommissioned in 1995.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37) was named after Samuel Gompers, a prominent American labor leader and founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
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Class and Type: She was the lead ship of her class—Samuel Gompers-class destroyer tenders, designed to provide repair and maintenance services to destroyers and other small ships.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on July 1, 1967, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
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Vietnam War Service: Samuel Gompers served in the Vietnam War, providing vital support to ships operating in the combat zone by supplying repair parts, maintenance, and technical assistance.
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Women at Sea: In 1978, Samuel Gompers became one of the first U.S. Navy ships to have female sailors serve as part of the regular crew, marking an important step in gender integration in the Navy.
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Global Deployments: The ship spent much of her service life deployed to the Western Pacific, making numerous visits to ports in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and other allied nations.
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Operation Desert Storm: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Samuel Gompers provided critical repair and logistical support to U.S. and coalition vessels in the Persian Gulf.
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Length of Service: Over her 28 years of service, the ship earned multiple awards and commendations for her support missions and crew performance.
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Decommissioning: USS Samuel Gompers was decommissioned on October 27, 1995, and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was eventually sold for scrap in 2011, marking the end of her legacy as a vital support vessel for the U.S. Navy.
